Fast Five: Brittany Teverbaugh

Meet Brittany Teverbaugh, a North Idaho native. She spent some years in Reno for school and work, but being raised on a farm on the Canadian border has kept her a North Idahoan girl through and through. Brittany is the wife of Shaun Teverbaugh and a mother of three. She enjoys family time spent outdoors, camping, hunting and community events, especially ones that involve live music.

Generation:

I suppose I have to say that I am a millennial, but according to USA Today, I can call myself an Xennial because I used a dial-up modem for school research and remember life before social media. I am OK with that.

Career and community involvement:

I am the marketing manager for the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, North Idaho State Fair and Gem State Stampede. I also manage sponsorships, volunteer programs and join in on concert and entertainment programming whenever I can. I love coaching youth sports. I am on the Cowboy Ball Committee for the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation and a board member for the Moore For Youth Foundation as well as a young professional and marketing committee member for the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs and International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

Parental status:

I am a blessed mother of three wonderfully funny, smart and kind children. Shaylan, 12; Kamdyn, 10; Flynn, 5. I'm also a dog mom to Maverick, 2; and (thanks to Kootenai County 4-H) a guinea pig grandma (eek!) to Chuck and Morgan, both approximately 3-4 months old.

1. What drew you to a career with the North Idaho State Fair?

Isn't everyone drawn to a career where you get to promote family fun, help create memories, eat weird foods, meet the coolest people and not sleep for a month every summer? No, just us crazy fair people? I am so blessed to be a part of the North Idaho State Fair family. I truly enjoy promoting events, and being a driving force behind one of North Idaho's biggest, most diverse and exciting events makes me so proud.

2. What is your favorite part of our fair?

It is impossible for me to pick one favorite part. I absolutely love the opening night concert, Patriot Night at the rodeo, 5 a.m. news station interviews and watching our local performers. Overall, I have to say it's the people I get to work with — the staff, the fair and foundation boards, ALL of the volunteers and our wonderful sponsors. I remember feeling so overwhelmed before the first fair I worked. I went in early on a Saturday morning to hang more banners, jumped on a golf cart and took off driving around the grounds. Every corner I took there was another group of volunteers working away to get their area ready for the big event and every single one of them stopped to smile and wave as I drove by. Our fair is so special, I just can't explain the feelings and emotions in words. You'll just have to get involved and experience it yourself!

3. What has been the biggest learning lesson in your life?

Definitely parenting. Nothing else can teach you pure and unselfish love, patience, pride and make you overcome every fear you've ever had all at the same time. It goes so fast that you are forced to un-busy yourself to enjoy the moments before they're gone.

4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I grew up on a farm and am allergic to hay. I've seen Gavin DeGraw in concert four times and it's still not enough. Shaun and I got married in the Bahamas. And I'm pretty sure my sister Lindsey resents me because she's been a hunter for way longer than me, but my elk have been bigger (sorry Linds! You and Dad are just great teachers!).

5. If you could share a message with our community, from the bottom of your heart, what would it be?

Get involved. Somewhere. Anywhere. So many of the things we all love about this area can't continue without volunteers. Nobody "has the time," we're all busy. Do it anyway. It is so worth it.